Lady Kelpi Translations

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Seven:
Undercurrent

As Shaoshang expected, the Emperor filed the case with the confession and physical evidence collected by Ling Buyi early the following day. He allowed several important officials to review it one by one. Then, he sent Cen Anzhi to the General’s mansion with white silk and poisonous wine. Wang Ling begged the Empress to let her go on the final journey to see off her birth mother. The Empress sighed helplessly and then asked Shaoshang to send Wang Ling over.

Shaoshang took two plates of sugar shaobing (baked cake on a griddle) she had just baked from the kitchen before they left, covering them in a warm nest and carrying them away.

This was not the first time Shaoshang had entered the General’s mansion. Wang Chun was fond of drinking and entertaining guests, and she used to follow Ling Buyi through these scenes. Wang Chun and Wan Songbai had a very consistent aesthetic, both liking to stack gold, silver, pearls, and jade. Uncle Wan’s style was more about flaunting wealth to blind his guests. Wang Chun, at least, knew how to add a touch of subtlety by wrapping thin layers of gauze around the jade fence and gold pillars.

At this point, the mansion was in a place of change, and the wealthy and beautiful maids who were usually present were nowhere to be found. The ground was piled up with mud and dirty snow, and withered branches and leaves scattered everywhere. Along the way, Wang Ling looked at this desolate scene, feeling a wave of sadness that was hard for her to suppress. It was fortunate that Ling Buyi enforced strict measures, and there was no damage to the women’s property.

Arriving at the main residence guarded by heavy troops, Cen Anzhi smiled and arched his hand towards Shaoshang. “I heard the two young ladies would be coming. Maidservants are waiting outside. After you have finished speaking with Wen Xiujun, they will return to fulfill His Majesty’s orders.”

“Thank you very much, Attendant Cen,” Wang Ling shed tears and thanked him. “Everyone is avoiding my home like it’s a snake or scorpion. You are really a kind person.”

“You flatter me,” Cen Anzhi’s smile remained changed.

Shaoshang stood behind and inwardly sneered at him, ‘You are the one who wants to send someone’s birth mother to the Underworld and still pretend to be so kind, like tall mountains and flowing water. You indeed are dedicated to your craft!’

Cen Anzhi didn’t see her smile. As he led a group of eunuchs past the two women, his close attendant smiled and took the food basket, a warm nest from Lian Fang’s hands.

Shaoshang saw the room’s interior was a mess as they walked into it. The once exquisite and luxurious decorations were smashed into pieces. Wen Xiujun sat on her bed, with all the decorations on her body searched, and she only wore a bun on top of her head, cursing profusely. The specific content was nothing more than Wang Chun being an ungrateful bastard and how dare he betray his wife.

Wang Ling walked forward with tears in her eyes, and she knelt on both knees.

Wenxiu Jun didn’t get up, and her turbid eyes hinted at malice. “What are you doing here? You’ve been close to your father since childhood, and now you’re rushing to come and cry for me! Wang Chun, this petty person who is inclined to flattery and is two-faced and backstabbing, was once chosen by my father to be his son-in-law and greatly promoted him. What kind of kindness is this? He doesn’t want to repay it but is bowing down to his enemies. This really is worth cutting with a thousand knives!”

Wang Ling knelt stiffly on the ground, looking painfully at her birth mother.

Shaoshang did not feel pity and was not polite, so she stepped forward. “Wenxiu… Oh, His Majesty took away your title, so I will call you Madam Wang. Madam, even if General Wang didn’t marry you, would he starve to death? The Wang family was already prestigious, and whether they marry or not, they are all local aristocrats who don’t have to worry about food and drink!”

Wenxiu Jun suddenly stared at her; Shaoshang wasn’t afraid at all. She continued to criticize her. “As for the ‘great promotion,’ are you joking? After years of experience, everyone knows that your father didn’t value General Wang at all. Even a minor military official in the royal palace has more face than General Wang, and that was also considered a kindness. If we really discuss kindness and righteousness based on the principle of ‘valuing and not valuing,’ would His Majesty have a hundred thousand times more kindness and righteousness towards General Wang?!”

“Lowly servant, how dare you criticize my father!” Wenxiu Jun angrily shouted. “My father was heroic! When he dominated the world, you and the ordinary people didn’t know how to stay alive!”

“Forget it! The most heroic person in the world is now sitting in the dragon’s chair.” Shaoshang, with barely a glance, dismissively said, “His Majesty wasn’t as wealthy as your father in the past, and there weren’t as many people and horses as your father. Now, even those who don’t have long eyes know what the result is. Madam Wang, there must be a limit to boasting, so let’s stop before you get ahead of yourself. I see you had a good time, and your mind has gone crazy. After spending a few days with your sisters exiled to remote places, your mind will be clear!”

Wenxiu Jun was so angry that she trembled all over. Even if she pulled her father and eighteen generations of ancestors out of their coffins, she was still not a match for Shaoshang. She could only turn her anger at her daughter. “Girl! You don’t think I’m dying fast enough and have come to bring this lowly girl to anger me!”

Wang Ling slowly wiped away her tears. “Mother, after carrying me for ten months, how could I not come to see you off? she said respectfully. “Besides, I have two questions I’d like to ask.”

Wenxiu Jun snorted and turned her head.

“Mother, could it be Little Uncle is deceiving you, and they are using you without realizing it? This is a major event of betrayal and extermination!” Wang Ling became more and more afraid as she thought about it.

“What do you mean they?” Wenxiu Jun angrily cursed. “Prince Qian’an’s mansion is our root! Without them, you wouldn’t exist!”

“I heard when Grandfather was still alive, Little Uncle didn’t even take you seriously,” Wang Ling cried unwillingly. “He mistreated you in his daily life. Why ruin your future for him?”

“It’s not just for your uncle but also to revive the reputation of Prince Qian’an’s mansion!” Wenxiu Jun stubbornly said. “For the sake of your grandfather, who died without closing his eyes, I must help your uncle! If it weren’t for your foolish father who couldn’t hide it, once your little uncle’s success was achieved, you would have Prince Qian’an’s mansion as a support!”

There was a pain in Shaoshang’s palm. She looked down and realized her little fingernail had been pinched off. She slowly walked away, slightly behind the mother and daughter, and gently blew air onto her palm.

“Who cares about having a support to rely on?” Wang Ling’s eyes were filled with tears, and she screamed. “Not to mention Little Uncle can never succeed, even if Grandfather was still here, my aunt has not been exposed to the glory of Prince Qian’an’s mansion, let alone me!”
[In case it’s unclear, her aunt is the Empress.]

“You heartless wretch!” Wenxiu Jun cursed angrily as she pointed at her daughter. “You are indeed the seed of your foolish father!”

Wang Ling was gasping for breath now. “Okay, let’s not mention this. I’ll just ask: you risked Father’s name to gather money and supplies for Little Uncle. If something happened, Father would die, and several brothers who had reached the crown would also be exiled. The entire Wang family would suffer except for you, who will be able to escape punishment through the Empress. Are you ignoring all of this?”

Wenxiu Jun remained silent. Even if she didn’t care about whether her husband lived or died, her sons were her own. After a moment, she said, “To achieve great things, some are also not worth considering…”

Shaoshang chuckled coldly, feeling that there were too many criticisms to speak of. Wang Ling slowly stood up from the ground. Her face no longer showed sadness but remained calm and mysterious.

“Mother,” Wang Ling whispered. “I have asked everything I wanted to. Now, I want to tell you some things so you can leave with peace of mind.”

A look of hesitation appeared on Wenxiu Jun’s face. “What things?”

“Yesterday, Prince Qian’an was arrested by His Majesty and brought to the Capital,” Wang Ling said. “His Majesty questioned him on his intentions to cause trouble, and he shifted everything onto you. Little Uncle said he didn’t know that the money and supplies came from Peng Nian, nor did he intend to rebel. It’s only because the fiefdom was barren that he begged Mother for money and supplies so that his concubines and children could live more comfortably.”

It felt like Wenxiu Jun had been struck, and her figure was unstable. She forced a smile after she calmed down. “My little brother is right. As long as the green hills last, there will always be wood to burn. We must first save ourselves before we speak.”

“There’s another thing,” Wang Ling said.

Shaoshang glanced sideways and noticed she had a ruthless expression in her eyes that was very similar to that of Wenxiu Jun just now.

“Everyone says Father is mediocre and inactive, but it isn’t entirely true,” she said. “He may be incompetent, but he knows when to quit. Grandfather had more than twenty daughters and ten sons-in-law. Why did His Majesty only give Father a high position and salary to appease his remaining followers? Before the Empress married His Majesty, you and Her Majesty did not necessarily have a strong sisterly relationship.”

She spoke clearly and at a particularly slow pace, as if she wanted her mother to hear everything.

This time, it was Wenxiu Jun’s turn to breathe quickly. She vaguely sensed something.

“I came to tell Mother,” Wang Ling continued. “This is because when Grandfather rebelled, Father noticed and secretly reported it to His Majesty. Although the Emperor has been on guard for a long time, he does remember his contributions. Later, Father privately told me that although Grandfather was far stronger than His Majesty’s army then, he thought His Majesty was the divinely appointed sovereign.”

Wenxiu Jun’s entire body trembled, her throat constricted, and her eyes bulged. Her anger was indescribable.

“Father also said that among the generals under the account of Grandfather, there were more than one or two who also had such thoughts,” Wang Ling said with a smile. “They all thought His Majesty was the unmatched true hero in the world. Otherwise, how could Grandfather have been defeated without moving his troops?”

Wenxiu Jun finally made a move and rushed forward like a madwoman. Shaoshang kicked open the door, and the servants guarding outside immediately rushed in and restrained her.

Wang Ling knelt again, her voice calm as she said, “Your daughter bids farewell to her mother. May you have a safe and prosperous future, with no disasters or difficulties, and everything goes smoothly.”

Wenxiu Jun had her arms pulled back, and her hair was disheveled. She began to scream wildly, “Wang Chun, you inferior animal! How dare you betray my father ­–” She was immediately silenced.

Wang Ling gave her one final look and then followed Shaoshang out of the door. Cen Anzhi knew that the two women came out, smiling like a warm piece of sugar shaobing, and then led the guards into the room and closed the door behind him.

Wang Ling looked fixedly at the tightly closed door, her hands clenched until her knuckles turned white. “Mother doesn’t care about whether we live or die,” she whispered. “She would rather let us die to protect Prince Qian’an’s mansion. I will never forgive such a woman!” She turned around and forced a smile to Shaoshang. “After returning, I will write a letter to His Majesty, and then I will ask the Empress to submit it on my behalf.”

“What are you going to say to His Majesty?” Shaoshang asked.

The sound of struggling and thumping came from within the room, indicating that Wenxiu Jun was unwilling to commit suicide calmly.

Wang Ling’s face turned pale, but she continued as if she didn’t hear anything. “Our Wang family was originally the remnants of Qian’an’s rebellion. It’s thanks to His Majesty’s kindness, generosity, and tolerance for my father’s mediocrity and incompetence over the years, and the Wang family is grateful for him giving us glory and wealth. My mother has committed such a heinous act, and His Majesty has already done everything in his power to punish the Wang family. We will never have any complaints. For me, His Majesty is not only the master in charge of the world but also a kind elder. I will worship the heavens daily to bless His Majesty with boundless life and worry-free health…”

At that moment, a pained and hoarse scream came from inside the room. It should be the sound of Wenxiu Jun after taking the poisoned wine. That was Wang Ling’s breaking point. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, and she dropped in a dead faint.

Wang Ling developed a fever that night, but she still managed to hold on and finish writing her letter. She then asked Shaoshang to hand it over to the Empress, who handed it over to the Emperor after reading it. Wang Ling’s calligraphy and literary talent couldn’t be considered brilliant, but she excelled in sincerity, obedience, humility, and… well, flattery. The Emperor was pleased with the letter after he read it, and the punishment for the Wang family was reduced by three points.

Initially, only thirty percent of the property was left for the Wang family, but now it was changed to them confiscating thirty percent. The father and son of the Wang family were originally going to be exiled to Minnan, but now they were being sent to Jingnan. At the same time, the Emperor also gave Wang Ling a dowry and added a false title to her future husband – Wang Ling married a prestigious family in Jinzhou and had a lot of family wealth. It was evident that Wang Chun would not break down in the future.

Peng Nian and his followers who rebelled against him, as well as his relatives and nephews who were involved in the matter, were all punished. Their property was confiscated, and their families were exiled to Miaonan. The women, children, and elderly were sent back to their hometowns. At that time, several adults expressed that the punishment was too lenient. Such a heinous crime of raising flags and rebelling was not completely eradicated.

For whatever reason, the courtiers didn’t refute any further.

On the contrary, Prince Qian’an, who shifted the blame onto others, seemed to be the most despised by the Emperor. He was still imprisoned in the Northern Army Prison without any regard, and all the advisors and followers around him were killed.

As the rain passed and the sky cleared, just as Shaoshang thought that the Crown Prince could finally stop worrying, an incident that was neither too big nor too small happened in court. On that day, Master Han, who Shaoshang had taken an interest in, suddenly proposed to issue a decree of accountability to the Crown Prince after the Emperor punished Peng Nian and Wang Chun. He urged him to reflect on himself and alert him to regulate those close to him in the future.

This infuriated the Emperor, and he issued three imperial edicts within two days, asking Master Han to admit to the crime of ‘exceeding the ritual.’ This refined and principled Han was also angry and confessed to his crime without hesitation, then committed suicide.

The Emperor, filled with regret, posthumously bestowed wealth, silk, and supplies to the Han family, consoled the grieving relatives, and ordered a grand funeral in Han’s honor.

Although no one was in court to hold the Crown Prince accountable, the Eastern Palace was also neglected.

Shaoshang saw that the Empress was depressed and unhappy, so she took the initiative to comfort the Crown Prince. When she found the Crown Prince, he was sitting on the steps outside the Eastern Palace’s side hall with Ling Buyi beside him.

As the sun set in the west, not a soul was in sight as the Crown Prince was enveloped in a lonely shadow. Ling Buyi stood upright and drew a long, powerful ink line before him.

Ling Buyi strode forward to pick Shaoshang up when he saw her running out of breath. “You’re panting like a broken bellows,” he joked, placing her on the stairs.

“Even if Mother gives you ten more lectures, you still don’t look like a lady,” the Crown Prince said, smiling.

Shaoshang rarely ignored the mocking of these two men and loudly said, “Your Highness, don’t pay attention to those people saying bad things about you. None of them have pure hearts!”

The Crown Prince’s expression darkened. “I have been exhausted from sitting in this Eastern Palace for many years. I’ve been told since I was young to be respectful, diligent, friendly, and filial. I must always be on guard against anyone who wants to harm me and always pay attention to whether the people I trust and value are corrupt and deceitful! If they are, I will mercilessly use my hand to take them down and eliminate them! Sometimes, when I think about it, I want to give up the position of Crown Prince, just like my grandfather gave up his family property…”

Shaoshang was shocked and interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. “Your Highness, you must not have such thoughts! Grandfather Xuan still enjoyed the freedom of spring flowers and the autumn moon by giving up his family property, but you cannot! I have to ask you, have any deposed princes survived since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?”
[The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are part of myth and legend. They represent the earliest system of Chinese historiography.]

The Crown Prince was taken aback.

“Yes,” Ling Buyi said. “If we include the Eastern states, at least…”

“Don’t cause trouble! I’m talking about serious matters!” Shaoshang was furious.

Ling Buyi’s gentle smile reminded her of what the Emperor had said when she complained about her grievances. “…Although there might be shortcomings, the Crown Prince is already the Crown Prince! Although he has a gentle temperament, he is magnanimous. With him, his younger siblings can be safe and sound. But if the Crown Prince is pulled down from his position, will he still have the means to survive?”

“Who will take over the throne after giving up the Crown Prince’s position?” Shaoshang continued to spit at the Crown Prince. “In terms of legitimacy, it should be the Second Prince. He won’t humbly refuse. He must be overjoyed, beaming and crying with joy, and making him even worse than the Fifth Prince… Your Highness, do you really want the Second Prince to become the crown prince? You are harming all the people in the world!”

The girl’s imposing demeanor forced the Crown Prince to lean back and apologize. “My second younger brother is not that bad, either. If he were a smart, capable, and well-known brother, I would be willing to…”

“What are you willing to do? I don’t think any of the princes are as good as you!” Shaoshang shouted. She turned her head. “Master Ling, don’t just stand there. What are you doing here?”

“I came to pass on His Majesty’s words,” Ling Buyi smiled at her. “His Majesty wants to reassure the Crown Prince not to worry about the slander and ridicule and to be cautious in the future.”

“His Majesty’s words are wise!” Shaoshang praised. “Your Highness, did you hear me? His Majesty has confidence in you!”

The Crown Prince smiled bitterly and shook his head. “Father worries that this won’t end peacefully and wants to comfort me.”

Shaoshang thought to herself that the Crown Prince wasn’t foolish. He had guessed the truth at once. She was about to persuade him with a few more words when Ling Buyi suddenly spoke up. “Just now, His Highness said, ‘smart and capable with a good reputation.’ You should know when Xin received his position, he was praised for his intelligence and ambition, yet he ended up with the legacy of a tyrant. As for Yao Zhonghua, lauded for his humility and heavily favored by Yi Fangxun who even married his daughter to him, he chose to abdicate early…”

Shaoshang thought long and hard for a moment. “Who is Zi Shouxin? She asked seriously. “And who are Yao Zhonghua and Yi Fangxun? I know all of these people, but I can’t think of who they are right now.”

The Crown Prince and Ling Buyi froze at the same time. After a moment, Ling Buyi said, “Zi Shouxin is the King of Zhou of the Shang dynasty. Yi Fangxun and Yao Zhonghua are emperors Yao and Shun.”

Shaoshang gave a dry smile, feeling embarrassed. “I asked why they sounded so familiar, so it’s them…”

The Crown Prince pointed at the girl and burst into laughter, forgetting his worries momentarily.

…

Two days later, Ling Buyi and Shaoshang were entrusted by the Crown Prince to bid farewell to the soon-to-be-married/exiled members of the Wang family.

Wang Ling looked good as she spoke with Shaoshang. “It’s interesting to think about it. I hated my mother so much that day, but in the future, I’ll learn from her and try my best to protect my family in Jingzhou. Fortunately, my father and brother are less ambitious than my mother’s. It will be enough if they can eat, drink, and have fun.”

Shaoshang felt a sense of closeness as she looked at her. When it came to children being the projection of their parents, Wang Ling perfectly inherited Wenxiu Jun’s determination and Wang Chun’s awareness of current affairs.

She didn’t dislike her, either.

How could she put it? If He Zhaojun was reborn from the flames of the sea of blood, then Wang Ling would do her best to grab the life-saving straw when she had nowhere to anchor. This was just survival, and there was nothing wrong with it.

But who she wanted to see today was not Wang Ling but Wang Chun.

In the carriage on the return journey, Shaoshang leaned on her elbows and tilted her head in a daze. Ling Buyi had said a few words to her, but she wasn’t listening and kept answering irrelevant questions.

“What’s wrong with you?” Ling Buyi frowned and grabbed her chin. “You’ve been like this since you spoke with Wang Chun. What did he say?”

Shaoshang pulled her chin away and looked at Ling Buyi for a moment before she smiled. “There’s something that was lingering in my heart for a long time. Because there was so much going on, I didn’t think too much of it. Now that the situation has calmed down, I asked Wang Chun a few questions to dispel my doubts.”

“What doubts?” Ling Buyi’s heart thudded like a muffled drum.

“Lou Ben cheated the city and made great contributions. Qian’an gathered money and supplies. When did you find out about it?”

…

Dun. Dun. Dunnnnnn.

Next Chapter: The Third Engagement War